Armor versus archery

[rrgg]

Part of the issue is that arrows tend to be fairly low energy projectiles, even compared to weapons back then. If ancient armorers developed their equipment with the intent of stopping the likes of sword-thrusts, spears, heavy javelins etc. then all but the most powerful archers would likely have found themselves left in the dust pretty early on as far as penetration goes. I agree that most casualties due to arrows would have likely occurred on unarmored limbs or ill-equipped soldiers.